Richard Bell

Richard R. Bell, a lifetime Anadarko resident, passed from this life on Friday, September 2, 2016 at Hospice Quality Care in Del City.
Richard was born June 3, 1930 to Jim and Ethel Bell. He joined the Oklahoma National Guard in 1947. He served in the US Army in Germany from 1949 to 1950, enlisting with the 45th Division of the Oklahoma National Guard in July 1950. He was activated from September 1950 to May 1952 in Japan and Korea. Richard was active in National Guard service from July 1952 to November 1976 when he became an inactive member. He retired from inactive National Guard June 3, 1990 with more than 40 years of creditable service having achieved the rank of Master Sergeant. His military awards included Army of Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with bronze service star, United Nations Service Medal, and Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar.
After returning from active service overseas, Richard married Betty Reece March 26, 1953 and then graduated from Anadarko High School in May of the same year. He attended OSU Tech in Okmulgee in 1953-54. He worked for several years as an artillery mechanic for the Oklahoma National Guard. He later served as the Building Superintendent for the US Federal Building in Anadarko, retiring in June 1985.
Richard was an avid fisherman and enjoyed hunting, assisting his brother, Don, coach little league baseball, attending yard sales and auctions, and picking and collecting a variety of objects. He was an active supporter of Anadarko High School sports including football, basketball, wrestling, baseball and softball. He and Betty were named "Fans of the Year" in 2010.
Richard trusted Jesus as his Savior and Lord as an adult and was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Anadarko. He loved to tease and make people laugh and provided nicknames for many friends and relatives through the years, earning his own "Head Harasser" title from the Keenagers church group where he won the domino tournament 9 times.
Richard was also very civic-minded. He served several years on the Anadarko City Council and the Fort Cobb Master Conservancy District board and as an election polling place worker.
Richard loved to travel and visited most states and many countries through the years. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty of the home; son, Cleve Bell and wife LeeAnne of Lander, WY; granddaughter, Artesia Bell of Casper, WY; grandson, Kelby Currier and wife Roxanne of Haslet, TX; great-granddaughters, Mariyah and Madison Currier of Haslet, TX; brother, Ted Bell and wife Louise of Anadarko; sister, Marjorie Stokley and husband James of Anadarko, brother-in-law Herman Reece and wife Marlene of Oklahoma City, many loving nieces and nephews, a host of friends, and his very best buddy - his 12 year-old dachshund, Emmy. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Ethel Bell; son, Mark Bell; brothers, Don, Archie and Billy Bell; and sister-in-law, Joyce Milton.
Services are under the direction of Ray and Martha's Funeral Home, Anadarko with visitation available after 4:00pm on Sunday, September 4 and on Monday, September 5 from 1:00p.m. to 8:30p.m. Burial will be in Anadarko's Memory Lane Cemetery in a private family service. Public memorial services will be Tuesday, September 6 at 1:30 pm at First Baptist Church, Anadarko, with the pastor, Lynn Bellamy, officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the First Baptist Church "Special Projects" fund. The family also extends gratitude for the many expressions of kindness received through the past weeks. A special thanks to the staff of the Physicians Hospital in Anadarko, Ross Home Health, Ross Hospice, and Hospice Quality Care of Del City for their professional and compassionate care.